A Dishwasher Safe Cutting Board?

Introduction

When most people think of cutting boards, they usually envision a hefty maple end grain cutting board or something similar.  Boards like that are unquestionably fantastic, and we believe every aspiring home chef should have one.

What’s the problem?  18% of cutting boards have residual bacteria that includes salmonella and E-coli, and wooden cutting boards are not dishwasher safe.  Even hardwood varieties like bamboo will warp and crack in a dishwasher. 

Our view is that anyone who is serious about cooking should have both a traditional wooden and dishwasher safe cutting board in their quiver.  

Preparing raw chicken?  You’ll want a dishwasher safe cutting board.  A premium filet mignon? A classic maple block will do just fine.

Dishwasher Safe Cutting Board Picks 

Here are our picks for 2020. We have chosen a wide range of sizes, styles, colors and materials. The common threads are great reviews and value for the money.

Best Composite Wood Cutting Boards

The Epicurean Gourmet Series cutting board is our Best Overall. It combines looks, practical size options and high heat resistance. Another nice option is the availability of three color choices – natural/slate, nutmeg/natural and slate/natural – with the first color being dominant and the second, the color of the juice groove.  

Most Notable Feature: Only dishwasher safe cutting board with a premium, wood-inspired look.

All of the Gourmet Series boards are small enough to fit in a dishwasher.  Great reviews, manageable sizes and more affordable price points, make this a no-brainer for anyone wanting a low maintenance yet premium board.

Pros

• Dishwasher safe AND premium looks
• Sourced from sustainable, managed forests
• Functions as a trivet for hot pans (350 degree Fahrenheit heat resistance)
• Doesn’t require oil or bleach
• National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• Pricey relative to plastic boards
• Will show cut marks over time
• 3x the cost of a plastic cutting board.

 

The Epicurean Chef Series is the big brother of the Gourmet Series.  It has a massive ~500 square inches of cutting surface.  With a natural wood look, ringed by a black juice groove, it is both modern and stylish.

As the largest board in our review, it may be too large for some dishwashers.  Some users have reported needing to remove the top rack just to get it to fit.  If you’re not cooking riskier foods like raw chicken, its non-porous surface can be quickly cleaned with soap and water. 

This made in the USA cutting board is a great choice if you need a premium board with a very large cutting area.

Pros

• Can accommodate large cuts of meat like a full turkey
• Premium look and feel
• Sourced from sustainable, managed forests
• Functions as a trivet for hot pans (350 degree Fahrenheit heat resistance)
• Doesn’t require oil or bleach
• National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• Too big for most dishwashers
• Pricey.

Best Plastic Cutting Boards

The Winco Cutting Board is simply a highly affordable, utilitarian fan favorite.  It is the one I use the most often at home. I actually have two of these that I alternate between dishwashing loads. 

At 12″ x 18″ x 1″ it is a traditional size and works well even in apartments with smaller countertops. That said, it can easily accommodate large chickens and medium sized roasts.

What stands out most about the Winco is its substantial feel and heft for a plastic board.

Most Notable Feature: Thick and solid, this is one of the most durable plastic cutting boards available. 

Although the Winco sports a minimalist design with no handles or juice grooves, it does come in bright green, yellow, red and blue in addition to the standard white.

If you own multiple cutting boards, the Winco will likely be the one that gets the most everyday use.  It has the heft of a wooden board coupled with the hygiene friendliness of a plastic cutting board.

Pros

• Extremely durable for a plastic cutting board
• Very knife friendly (better edge retention)
• Multiple sizes and colors available
• Well reviewed for an attractive price point
• Non-porous surface limits stains and hygiene issues
• National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified

Cons

• No juice grooves or handles
• No rubber feet to prevent sliding.

In case the Winco is just too plain for you, the OXO Good Grips Cutting and Carving Board offers a slightly different spin on the basic plastic cutting board.  It has soft tempered handles to make lifting easier and non-slip edges to prevent movement when cutting.

Another neat feature is that it is reversible so that the side with the juice groove can be used for meats and the other side for vegetables.  This helps prevent cross contamination when cooking.

Lastly, the ends are capped in basic black or stylish red to make it stand out from every other utility board.

While not as sturdy as the Winco, the OXO Cutting Board is a well thought out board and affordably priced at less than $15.

Pros

• Very knife friendly (better edge retention)
• Reversible (helps avoid cross contamination)
• Choice of red or black handles
• Includes tapered handles and juice grooves
• Non-slip edges to improve safety
• Good “sweet spot” size
• Two smaller sizes available

Cons

• Not as thick or durable as the Winco
• No apparent warranty.

Best Plastic Cutting Board Set

The Gorilla Grip Reversible Cutting Board (Set of 3) offers great value for the money.  The set comes with three boards ranging from 16 x 11 to 12 x 8 and is offered in four different colors.

Most Notable Features: 3 cutting boards for the price of 1, and 11 color choices.

It has nice features for a budget board – large handles, juice grooves and non-porous, BPA-free construction.

Even though this is a set with three boards, it checks in at under $20.

Pros

• 3 for the price of 1, all different sizes
• 11 colors to choose from
• Very knife friendly (better edge retention)
• Reversible (helps avoid cross contamination)
• Large handles and juice grooves
• Multiple color options
• Most affordable price point
• “No questions asked” return policy

Cons

• Not as durable as the Winco (only 0.33 inches thick)
• Softer material can scar (shorter board longevity)
• Too small for large cuts of meat.

What Types of Board Materials are Dishwasher Safe?

Cutting boards are made out of five primary types of materials – hard wood, soft wood, plastic, composite and rigid (e.g., slate).

Of these, only plastic and composite cutting boards are reliably dishwasher safe.  Plastic cutting boards are commonly made out of a food grade HDPE (high-density polyethylene) or polypropylene.  If that sounds scary, it’s not.  You are undoubtedly already using several items made from these materials in your kitchen today.

Composite boards are made of recycled fibers, usually wood, and bound together with heat and a food safe resin.  Composite boards tend to be a little firmer than HDPE and as such, are less forgiving on blade edge retention.

Cutting boards made out of composites tend to look more “natural,” while plastic cutting boards can be, and often are, any color of the rainbow.

Why Use a Dishwasher Safe Cutting Board?

There are four really compelling reasons:

1. Maintenance.  Simply scrape off the food and throw them in the dishwasher. No hand washing involved, and it doesn’t get any easier than that.  Another element is that wooden boards must be periodically soaked in food-grade mineral oil for 24 hours to maintain their surface integrity.  While that is not the end of the world, it is a bit of a hassle.
2. Hygiene.  In our view, the biggest pro of these boards is hygiene.  Bacteria from raw meats and unprocessed vegetables can lead to serious food-borne illnesses.  Almost all dishwashers generate sufficient heat for a sufficient amount of time to kill any lingering bacteria.  Alternatively, hand washing a wooden board can get it “optically” clean but not necessarily “hygienically” clean.
3. Knife Friendliness. By this, we mean your knife stays sharper longer.  Dishwasher safe cutting boards are typically made of softer materials which do not dull blades nearly as fast.  The tradeoff is that these cutting boards will show scars easier (i.e. they’re “knife friendly” more than “board friendly”).
4. Affordability.  On average, dishwasher safe boards are much cheaper than their wooden counterparts – usually 40% to 80% LESS.  They don’t last as long but given how affordable they are, replacing them every couple of years is not that much of a burden.

Any Downsides to Dishwasher Safe Cutting Boards?

Not too many, but there are a couple:

1. Physical Safety. Plastic and composite cutting boards are on average much lighter than wooden boards and can slip and slide when doing more aggressive cutting (e.g., quartering or deboning).  This can be a safety issue depending on the knife skills and experience of the person doing the cutting.
2. Board Life Expectancy. Some health officials argue that ALL cutting boards should be replaced as soon as they are visibly scratched.  Plastic and composite boards can become noticeably scarred and grooved after a couple years of vigorous use, giving bacteria more places to flourish.  While this is mitigated by being dishwasher safe, it is still something to keep in mind.

Conclusion

A dishwasher safe cutting board is low maintenance, low cost and flat out safer when preparing risky foods such as chicken and pork.

Given their highly affordable price tags, every home chef should have at least one of these highly versatile tools in their kitchens, and preferably 2 or 3 to avoid cross contamination when cooking large meals.

The best overall is the Epicurean Gourmet Series.  If you’re on a budget, I have had two Winco Cutting Boards for over a year now and give them a hearty “thumbs up.”  You cannot go wrong with either.